Maintaining Recovery After the First Year and DEFINITELY BETTER NOW by Ava Robinson
- Marisa Gelfand
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Emma has been sober for a year, actively participating in AA and working closely with a sponsor. Where her life once felt chaotic during her addiction, she now enjoys stability. She holds a 9-5 office job, lives in a studio apartment, and has built a solid support system of sober friends.
Despite this progress, there are still many experiences Emma hasn’t faced sober. She’s never dated without the influence of alcohol, never navigated sex, or attended a party where others are drinking while she isn’t. She hasn’t seen her mother in a healthy relationship nor truly confronted her estranged, alcoholic father. Now, after a year of recovery, Emma feels it’s time to confront these challenges—things she wasn’t ready for in the early stages of sobriety.
The first year of sobriety is a period of transformation. Removing substances leads to reduced feelings of depression and an increase in happiness and mental clarity. You’ll notice a boost in physical well-being. Relationships and work performance often improve as you build a track record of reliability in sobriety. These shifts provoke stronger self-esteem.
Recovery is as rewarding as it is challenging. Reaching the one-year milestone is a tremendous accomplishment; what comes next is just as crucial as the first twelve months. Here are tools for maintaining recovery after the first year.
Manage Stress: Many people in recovery recognize they used substances to avoid facing life’s challenges. Try healthier coping skills to reduce stress, like exercising, reading, taking breaks, or changing your environment.
Track Triggers: List the people, places, and things that fuel your cravings. Avoid these triggers. Create relapse prevention and safety plans to navigate the unavoidable triggers.
Rebuild Relationships: Open and honestly talk about what you are experiencing with people you care about and trust. Strengthen your bonds further by encouraging them to share their feelings from when you were using.
Believe in Yourself: High self-efficacy –a belief in your ability to influence and change your life – is highly correlated with sustained recovery. Notice and celebrate your healthy behaviors, decisions, and associated outcomes.
